The Little Book of Shocking Global Facts – Green Books Campaign 2010

Posted on November 10, 2010 by itees

Barnbrook Design has compiled close to 200 pages of shocking global facts that cover these important issues: trade, environment, health, population, human rights, arms trade, war and illicit drugs. As I read through this book, one thing became quite clear. The world’s priorities are seriously screwed up and at this pace we’re potentially all doomed. Between runaway global spending on the wrong issues to the massive population explosion to deforestation and global warming, we need to make REAL CHANGE happen or our civilization is truly going to end as we know it. The facts were gathered from the world’s most authoritative sources and a glossary is contained in the back.

The book questions global politics and highlights the inequalities and iniquities of rampant globalization.

How is it that the developed world spends billions on weaponry, while the poor of the world have no access to education, medicines or clean water?

Here are just some of the facts from this alarming book:

Chapter One, Trade: The richest 2% own more than 1/2 of all global assets. The financial crisis that started in 2008, slowed trade and halted investment throughout the world. The poorest countries were hit the hardest with 50 million sent into extreme poverty.

Chapter Two, Environment: 25% of greenhouse gases are caused by deforestation. Why are we cutting down so many trees? So we can clear the way and raise more cattle for the growing need for meat and the population that’s out of control. Because of global warming, glaciers are melting which will threaten water supplies to millions. Between 40-60 million more people will be exposed to malaria in Africa alone.

Chapter Three, Health: Tobacco is the most preventable cause of death, but still kills more people than tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS combined. **Starred Fact**: The US pharmaceutical industry spends 24.4% on promotion and just 13.4% on research and development.

Chapter Four, Population: Our little blue planet has 6.8 billion people living on it and 5 billion have been added since 1900. 5.6 billion of them live in less developed regions. Tokyo is the most populous and Africa’s Kiberia has the largest slum and houses around 1 million.

Chapter Five, Human Rights: 8.75 million people are held in prisons throughout the world. Two-thirds of the world’s 785 million illiterate adults are women.

Chapter Six, Arms Trade: Between 1998 and 2007 military spending increased by 45%. There are between 50 & 70 million AK-47 assault rifles around the world and in parts of Africa, a rifle can be bought for as little as $30.

Chapter Seven, War: During WWI, civilian casualties were less than 5% and today that is 75%. It took just 100 days for an estimated 800,000 Rwandans to be killed during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Between 1990 and 2007 negotiations led to the end of 59 conflicts around the world.

Chapter Eight, Illicit Drugs: **90% of the world’s opium is produced by Afghanistan, yet less than 2% of it is seized there.**

Barnbrook Design created an interesting, informative book, using original and innovative graphics, typography, and culturally relevant photography to help illustrate these serious issues. In paperback format on thick, glossy paper and having a cover with flaps, both the cover and interior were printed using mixed sources and the book is labeled FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified.

About Barnbrook Design: Barnbrook is one of the most well-known creative studios in Britain. Their team of designers specialize in producing innovative books, corporate identities, CD covers, custom fonts, websites and magazines. Their clients range from international museums to charitable organizations.

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Eco-Libris Green Books Campaign 2010

This review is part of the Green Books Campaign initiated by Eco-Libris. Today’s second annual event has 200 bloggers reviewing 200 great books at the same moment and printed in an environmentally friendly way. Their goal is to encourage publishers to get greener and readers to take the environment into consideration when purchasing books. This campaign organized by Eco-Libris, a green company working to green up the book industry by promoting the adoption of green practices, balancing out books by planting trees, and supporting green books. A full list of participating blogs anbd links to their reviews is available on the Eco-Libris website.

2010 - 200 Green Books Campaign Logo by Susan Newman

Sustainability Lecture Organized by AIGA

Posted on March 13, 2010 by itees

On Friday, March 12, I attended a lecture with another designer. Organized by the AIGA, “Design Thinking & Sustainability w/ Chris Hacker from Johnson & Johnson” took place at the Tishman Auditorium in NYC.

Aside from the problems with their powerpoint presentation, which got quite a few chuckles from the “designer” audience, it was a presentation about the possibilities we as designers can achieve if we make the effort. It’s important to lead our clients toward “green” packaging and printing even if they think it’s going to cost more, because it’s the right thing to do. Sometimes, depending on the item and the quantity, it may not cost more, so why not give it try.

Chris Hacker, who has been Johnson & Johnson’s Chief Design Officer for the past five years has overseen the application of sustainable design thinking and practices. In addition to building a 120-person think tank, where environmentally-conscious decisions are part of the process, he, along with the the rest of his team are implementing ideas with all sorts of products.

By simply changing the overall design so the product can be reused, eliminating part of the packaging which isn’t needed, or changing the printing techniques and inks, we can reduce the amount of paper or plastic being used and when you multiply that times the amount of products sold, that’s a lot of trees saved, and less waste.

We have the power as designers to reshape the way consumers see products, and can sometimes make a change that is environmentally sound and yet consumers don’t even notice. Most consumers are into being “green” and if they realize a product has changed to help the environment, like less packaging, or they can recycle it, they’re more likely to buy it and feel good about it.

young-leaves-in-forest

From the Johnson & Johnson website about “Protecting the Environment”

“We set high standards for our operating companies in the area of environmental responsibility — striving for performance that does not merely comply with regulations but reduces our environmental impacts. We have a responsibility to take care of our planet and preserve its beauty, resources and strength for future generations.”

You can be sure with every project I work on, I’m committed to producing or printing it the “greenest” way and will work hard to convince my clients to do the same.

The Client, The Graphic and Website Designer and Mutual Respect

Posted on December 8, 2009 by itees

Let’s discuss the mutual respect that there should be, between a client and a professional designer, or anyone working, no matter the industry.

Setting up and traveling to meetings with clients, who don’t show up, or don’t call to cancel is unacceptable. How about when we write estimates for potential clients, and they never respond again. How about thinking we’ll show a sample design for free to gain a client or do endless revisions, to the point where we can’t wait for the assignment to be done?

What is it about our profession in recent years, that we do not seem to get the respect we deserve?

I hate to say this because I love my computers, (macs of course, I do have a pc but I only use it to check website development, cross-platform) but I think since computers came to our aid in helping us create digitally, it made every worker in an office think they’re a graphic or website designer. In turn, it has watered down our profession.

Recently, I had a meeting scheduled with a client that I just started working with. This is not the first time this has happened but I arrive at the scheduled time, and he’s not there. He’s not on the way, or going to be late, but is on the phone with someone at the business. He didn’t even call me to cancel, or say he’d be late, but forgot, again? Well, my time is just as valuable as his, I traveled to get there, and this made me angry. It makes the assignment an unpleasant experience and now I just wish the job was finished. Now, I’m going to admit, this doesn’t happen very often, and occasionally I have clients who cancel down to the wire. These are not clients I enjoy working with, and will most likely not work with them again in the future, unless they come or just send documents to me.

Writing estimates for potential clients. I do have older estimates that I can open up and alter to fit the particular client I’m writing for, but depending on the potential client, and the assignment, an estimate can take between 1/2 hr – a few hours. Many times, I put it aside and come back to it later or the next day, to make sure it says everything it needs to. I know it seems like a lot to ask, but would it be so hard for someone to just respond? The first issue is, you don’t even know if they received it, unless you mark the email with a return notification. Sometimes, when you’re sending an attachment your email could go into their spam folder, and they might not have seen it. While reviewing designers, is it so difficult to just send a thank you for applying, we’ll let you know, or we’ve selected another? At least then you know they’ve gotten it, and you were considered.

Can you show me what you have in mind? For Free? Sorry, but this really annoys me. The whole point of having a portfolio, a body of your best work to show, is so that potential clients can look through your work and have a clear understanding of the quality of what you would deliver. If they cannot tell after seeing all of your design samples and are willing to hire you, then you probably don’t want them for a client. A designer begins with a concept, and that concept is in their mind, before they touch the computer, so if you want to know what my concept is, you’ll have to hire me to find out.

I will admit that I was tempted on whim to enter a logo design contest on 99designs, but it was because I was new to this site and invited, so when I looked through the samples submitted up to that point, I felt they weren’t the right approach, and a concept came to me immediately, so it wasn’t that difficult to put together what I had in mind, and submit the two color variations. I won that contest and they became a paying client, and hired me for a second assignment. But, I am against this type of website that puts designers working for free, competing against each other for little gain. Imagine if 99 designers enter a complicated assignment like website design, and with all the work involved, only one person can win and get paid. That’s a lot of designers working very hard for free. I think a site like this was created solely for lazy clients, who’d rather not look through those 99 portfolios and just choose the right designer for their assignment.

I had a logo concept in my mind come to me for the green books campaign which I was started by Eco-Libris and is for a great cause. I knew that over 100 bloggers were participating, (being one of the bloggers) reviewing 100+ green books, and it would be good publicity for me if those bloggers used the logo in their review, and many did. So I put it together, sent it along to Eco-Libris and they liked it and used it immediately. It was definitely worth the effort, for a good cause and the publicity it would draw to my work and in addition, my cause with Mary Jo Rhodes, Frogs Are Green.

Endless Revisions. When I write estimates they always stipulate how many revisions will be included but that never seems real to clients, who send their copy changes over and over. I’ll never understand why clients cannot review their copy carefully before sending it along. Whether we’re working on a print marketing project or a website page, the copy has to be loaded and styled. Don’t they realize we must redo it, if they send a new document? Recently I’ve also seen clients tell you the size has changed after you’re finished. This a complete redesign, but they don’t realize what’s involved. Imagine I have designed a book cover which is horizontal format, and after approved, the client now wants the cover in a vertical format, I must redesign the cover altogether.

All I’m saying is that we deserve the respect that we give to our clients, and I look forward to hearing your stories and/or comments.